aRT & pHOTOGRAPHY

I am currently producing my art out of the historic Riverside district in Jacksonville, Florida.  Although I studied art and dance while obtaining my bachelor's degree, I've been artistic since birth.  I assembled my first lawnmower at the age of two.  It wasn't my first painting, but my father was impressed!  My parents are both artistic, and so I was genetically blessed with artistic talent by simply being their daughter.  I remember studying and using a camera at a young age when my grandparents would visit my family, but I think all kids are interested in buttons and gadgets.  Growing up, I would draw and paint, decoupage, create intricate 3-D cards for family and friends, and write and direct theatrical plays with my siblings to entertain our parents and guests.  

I officially began to study photography in secondary school.  The enthusiasm and eccentricities of my photography instructor made photography fun.  He had a bushy head of hair, a bushy red mustache, and a state-of-art laboratory.  Since the class was comprised of a variety of grade levels, every student had a different level of experience, and I especially enjoyed working with the more experienced upper classmen.   We would develop our rolls of film in the dark room on Mondays and Tuesdays.  During the rest of the week, we would produce hard copies and use the photography and lighting equipment located in the classroom to experiment.  My photography class was the single break in the day from my very heavy academic load, and so I became very fond of it. 

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 While I am always looking for an interesting still life or scenic shot,  I find that people are more interesting to photograph.  Many times, the best picture is achieved when a person is not aware of the camera.  Even for a picture that is technically posed, I try to remove the obviousness of the camera’s presence to make the subject more relaxed.

Photography, however, doesn't nearly express the person I am as do my paintings.  Painting is an outlet to express my feelings-- good or bad, permanent or transitory.  I have happily found that people can relate to what I express in my paintings.  At times, a viewer will see something that I did not intend, but I find nonetheless interesting.  Therefore, I enjoy the discussions that my paintings initiate, and I am many times surprised that strangers can relate well to my personal feelings, triumphs and insecurities.  When I sell a painting, my feelings are two-fold.  I am happy that someone else loves it enough to purchase it, but I can't help but feel a little sad at the loss of a little piece of myself.